A hugely popular alternative to a conventional snaffle bit.
The Bomber Happy Tongue eggbutt bit can transform a horse that is unhappy going in a snaffle as it immediately relieves the tongue from pressure and any effects of the nutcracker action on the lips, bars, and tongue, which stops the horse trying to run through the discomfort it finds when the rider begins to either collect the horse into the bridle (as the horse is being ridden forward), executing a half halt, or in preparation for a down ward transition, or indeed a halt.
This bit is a very popular bit that works on a good variety of horses with different breeding and mouth conformations.
The Happy Tongue eggbutt prevents pinching of the lips as there is no loose ring to pinch against the adjoining hole that fixes to the mouth piece, and so the eggbutt side pieces give a slightly more solid feel against the side of the horses face. It also prevents the bit being pulled through the mouth. The Eggbutt Happy Tongue release is slower and it is more stable in the horses mouth without any nut cracker action usually found in a single jointed snaffle bit. This creates a more confident horse that readily looks for the contact as opposed to avoiding doing so and the effect can be that the horse happily works through from behind more easily. The Happy Tongue is useful for horses that are a little to busy in the mouth displaying a lot of chewing or chomping activity.
The Happy Tongue is a solid mouth piece which is ergonomically angled over the bars of the horses mouth so that the bit action is gently wrapping the bars of the mouth while the port gives tongue relief as the rein is taken up to activate a contact with the riders hands.
The Happy Tongue would be a good place to start if your horse is exhibiting the following behaviour:
- Shaking its head
- Sticking its tongue out
- Sucking its tongue back and as a result making an intermittent coughing noise
- Trying to put its tongue over the bit
- Going behind the bit to avoid the contact
- Snatching the reins forward and down
The bit is suitable for all riding disciplines whether hacking or competing and suits horses that prefer a straight bar type of bit but need room for the tongue
Additionally, all bomber bits are made from blue sweet iron, because it:
- Oxidises easily.
- Stimulates salivation.
- Helps bit acceptance.
- Is warm and sweet.
Please note the blue will fade with use.